One year later . . .

"For goodness sake!"

"These two are unbelievable!"

"Right? It's not safe to leave them alone together for more than a minute. Some things never change!"

"I know! We couldn't have been out of the room for 30 seconds, and they're already at each other's throats. That might actually be some sort of record!"

I guess we can't ignore their voices any longer. Lewis groans against my neck and reluctantly pulls his soft lips away from my skin, although his arms tighten reassuringly around my waist as he does so.

"Technically speaking, I was at her throat; we weren't at each other's," he points out mildly. "And you didn't have to come back so fast - we didn't miss you that much." He smiles into my eyes, and I melt: I don't know if I'll ever get over the adoring way he looks at me. "Right, Rubik's Cube?"

Drew shakes his head. "Sometimes, I think you two might actually be more annoying as a couple than you were as enemies."

"You brought this on yourselves," I point out smugly. "You thought you were being oh-so-funny with your silly little competition entry. Joke's on you."

"I really don't think we can call your relationship a joke at all now," Lauren laughs, leaning over to top up the wine in my glass. Drew passes Lewis another bottle of beer before they sit down again across from us.

The last year has been . . . well, honestly, it's been the best year of my life. If I was at all worried that the spark between me and Lewis might fade or disappear after we returned from Crete, those fears vanished almost immediately. It didn't matter that we were no longer in an exotic location or staying in a fancy hotel. Everything just seems . . . better when we're together, even a trip to Wetherspoons or an otherwise mundane wander around the supermarket.

And, in case you were fretting at all, we didn't actually get into any proper trouble with the hotel for (initially) faking our relationship, or accepting the prize under false pretences . Drew really had thoroughly checked the terms and conditions beforehand, so the drama pretty much ended as soon as Lewis and I confessed our true feelings for each other. The fact we'd actually become a couple over the course of the holiday was a love story almost everyone could appreciate!

A recording of Milos' meltdown and Lewis' speech did indeed briefly go viral, but it actually only benefitted Crete Paradise Oasis, properly putting their name on the map. So the nasty little story Nikos and Penelope made up completely backfired on them, as well as showing them up for how unprofessional they were. Ah . . . You've gotta love a nice big dose of karma, eh?

We still keep in touch with Maria. She's now been promoted to manager: Milos is currently "exploring other career opportunities". Apparently, it's really not the done thing to be caught on film yelling at guests and his father - the owner of the hotel - wasn't too impressed by his behaviour. He did ultimately apologise to us in the aftermath of the chaos on that last night, but I was still completely taken aback by his initial reaction. It seems that underneath that smooth, flawless front, he may have unresolved anger issues.

I'm glad our fifteen minutes of semi-fame passed pretty quickly - the period after the speech went viral was a trying time for both of us, and even as recently as last week I noticed some random folk in the pub staring at us curiously, as if they were trying to place us. I cringe every single time this happens - the life of a Z-list celebrity is definitely not for me!

"Our relationship definitely isn't a joke," Lewis agrees now, slipping his hand into mine and squeezing it lightly, before shooting me a questioning glance. I nod encouragingly. "In fact, we have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Lauren's face is eager, and she's so close to the edge of her seat that she might fall off at any minute. I'm pretty sure she's been anticipating this announcement for a few months now.

Lewis takes a deep breath. "Earlier today, I asked Ruby to marry me," he tells them, and Lauren squeals in delight as I finally hold out the newly be-ringed hand I'd been trying to conceal up until now. The dainty turquoise stone twinkles as it catches in the light, the perfect compliment to that beautiful bracelet he bought for me before I'd even fully realised I was falling for him.

"I said no, of course," I tease them. "But I'm keeping the ring." Lewis laughs and wraps an arm around me again, his handsome face lit up with joy. I don't think he's stopped smiling since he dropped to one knee in our kitchen this morning and proposed. I don't think I have either, actually.

Drew shakes his head, looking slightly dazed. "If anyone had told me a year ago that you two would actually be a happy couple, let alone getting married, I'd never have believed it," he tuts.

"Ha, well, you know what they say about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer," I giggle as Lewis brushes a gentle kiss against my forehead.

I still believe you can acquire enemies pretty much anywhere you go in life. And more often than not, they will remain your foes, possibly forever.

But perhaps sometimes it's a good idea to allow them to prove themselves worthy of a second chance? After all, Lewis Sheridan ultimately turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

And let's not forget: enemies to lovers has always been one of the most entertaining romantic tropes . . .

~~~~~~~~~THE END~~~~~~~~